World War OneThis short exhibition highlights the resources available in our Library
Collections for the study of World War One. It focuses on the first year of the war, 1914.
Further information about any item mentioned is available from the Welcome
Desk on Level 2
World War OneWorld War One is also called First World War or Great War. It was an international
conflict lasting from 1914 –1918, and involved most of the nations of Europe
along with Russia, the United States, the Middle East, and other regions.
.It was unprecedented in slaughter and
destruction, and was a watershed in 20th-century history. It led to the fall of four European dynasties and resulted in the
Revolution in Russia.
World War One: How it began
On 28th June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, were shot dead in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. He was part of a group who wanted
to unite Yugoslavia and break away from the Austro–
Hungarian Empire.
June 28th 1914 - Franz Ferdinand of Austria assassinated
Library Resources: Soviet Studies. Level 6 Annexe
The couple just minutes before the assassination.Picture credit:© IWM (Q 79761)
The death of Franz Ferdinand led to a quarrel between Austria and Serbia. The German Emperor (left) pledged support for Austria. Serbia was allied
with Russia who felt threated by Germany’s action. Russia’s allies were France and Great Britain.
Thus a small war in the Balkans could escalate into a bigger European war.
July 5th - Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany promises support for Austria/Hungary
World War One: How it began
Picture Credit: © IWM (HU 68367)
Library Resources: European History. Level 8
July 28th – Austria/Hungary declared war on Serbia
Negotiations to try to bring about a peaceful solution to the quarrel were unsuccessful, and Austria/Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia.The Serbian response
was considered unsatisfactory and
Austria/Hungary declared war on Serbia.
Russia then
mobilised in support of her ally
Serbia.
World War One: How it began
Picture Credit: © IWM
(Art.IWM PST
2713)
Alarmed by the Russian
mobilisation, Germany declared war on Russia
on August 1st, 1914.
Left – crowds at Unter den Linden in Berlin
listen to the announcement of
mobilisation.Credit: Mary Evans Picture Library
August 1st - Germany declares war on Russia
World War One: How it began
Belgium seeks help from UK
On the 3rd of August 1914, Germany declared war on France, and signalled its intention to travel through
Belgium to France. Belgium called for assistance from
the United Kingdom, calling on their agreement under the
Treaty of London, 1839.House of Commons debates, Germany and Belgium(03.08.14) 65 1833.
Available : Official Publications, Library Level 7
World War One: The United Kingdom goes to war
The 1839 Treaty of LondonThe ‘Scrap of Paper’
This was treaty under which the European nations guaranteed
the neutrality of Belgium.
Library Resources: British History: Level 8.
World War One: The United Kingdom goes to war
Image Credit: © IWM (Q 79761)
.
House of Commons debates, The Prime Minister’s Announcement, Great Britain and Germany (04.08.14) 65 1925-1926. Available : Official Publications, Library Level 7
Ultimatum to the German Government
On the 4th of August 1914, the UK Government issued an ultimatum to Germany,
requesting that they respect the Treaty of
London, 1839, and not violate Belgian neutrality.
World War One: The United Kingdom goes to war
Declaration of war
Receiving no reply from the Germans, and
hearing that they have crossed into Belgian territory, the United
Kingdom declared war on Germany at 7pm on
the 4th August, 1914.
House of Commons debates, Prime Minister’s Statements, War in Europe (05.08.14) 65 1963-1964. Available from Level 7 of the Library.
World War One: The United Kingdom goes to war
In this famous cartoon from Punch, the small
Belgian peasant stands ready to
defend his village against the bigger
German.
Punch, August 12, 1914. Library Research Annexe
World War One: The United Kingdom goes to war
Rupture of Diplomatic Relations...
This is an account from the British Ambassador to Berlin, Sir William Goschen as war is
declared. It includes his conversation with the German
Chancellor, who expressed ‘agitation’ that Britain would go to war over a ‘scrap of paper.’ (The 1839 Treaty of London)
Cd 7445, Session 1914. Available : Official Publications, Library Level 7
World War One: The United Kingdom goes to war
World War One: British Recruitment and Mobilisation
The British Expeditionary Force - or BEF - totalling 85,000
men, was sent to France when war was declared. The image
shows them disembarking at
Boulogne, France. Image: The Country
Gentleman and Land and Water. Vol. 63, 1914.
Library Research Annexe
The BEF at Boulogne, August
1914.
Horses being slung over from a transport.
Over 20,000 horses were landed.
Image: The Illustrated War News.
Library Research Annexe
World War One: British Recruitment and Mobilisation
As soon as war was declared the Territorial Army also began to mobilise. This is the London Scottish,
August 5th, 1914.Image: The Illustrated War News. Library Research Annexe
.
World War One: British Recruitment and Mobilisation
In 1914 the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders recruited on campus at the University Union. Over 200 students enlisted with the regiment. Many ended up in the 6th Battalion’s B Company, which was unofficially
known as the University Company.University Archives MS Gen 1376/11/9
World War One: British Recruitment and Mobilisation
Francis MacCunn (on the left) worked in Glasgow
University History Department. He enlisted in 1914. He was killed in
action exactly a year later. Library Special
Collections have over 70 letters sent home by
MacCunn, including a farewell telegram
(MS Gen 532)
World War One: British Recruitment and Mobilisation
Manual of Map reading and Field Sketching.
Mil Sci EC310.G7 Man
With the outbreak of war and widespread
recruitment, the War Office published a number of training
manuals that were readily available in bookshops
throughout the UK.The Military Science collection on Level 8
contains some of these manuals
World War One: British Recruitment and Mobilisation
The White Ensign is the flag flown on British Royal Navy ships.
Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy) War Ensign 1903–19.
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
In 1914, the British Fleet accounted for almost
43% of the world’s shipping. Britain relied on imports, especially food and raw materials. To
protect these interests, Britain was involved in two major naval battles at the beginning of the war; Coronel and the
Falklands.
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
Flag signalling from HMS King George V to other ships of the Fleet.
Picture credit: © IWM (Q 19537)
The first, the battle of Coronel, took place off the coast of
Chile. The German East Asia
Squadron, with a new flagship the Sharnhorst (left), had been operating in the Pacific. It was commanded by Admiral von Spee. At the beginning of the war, he moved his operations
to South America and the crucial trade routes there.
Kroschel, Guner: Die Deutsche Flotte, 1848-1945’.
Library Research Annexe
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
Spee retained the Emden in the Indian Ocean to
disrupt trade. It had significant success before
being destroyed in November 1914.
Spee himself sailed east, shelling Papeete in
French Polynesia, before regrouping off Easter
Island.
SMS Gneisenau. Kroschel, Guner :Die Deutsche
Flotte, 1848-1945’.Library Research Annexe
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
The nearest British force in the area at that time was commanded by
Admiral Christopher Cradock (left) who had been searching for raiders on the east coast of South America.
He was ordered to meet Spee’s force. Cradock’s ships were inferior to those
under Spee. HMS Good Hope (Cradock’s flagship) and HMS Monmouth were both lighter in
broadside gunnery and neither could use their lower guns in heavy seas.
.
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
Picture credit: © IWM (Q 69171)
On 1st November, Spee sighted Cradock’s ships. Cradock tried to attack
while the Germans still had the sun in their eyes but
Spee kept his distance until it set. The British were now
silhouetted against the afterglow and the
overwhelming German superiority in gunnery
began to tell.
H.M.S. Good Hope, Cradock’s flagship, sunk at Coronel.
Picture credit: © IWM (Q 21297) Library Resources:
European History. Level 8
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
As the British ships closed in to bring their own guns into range, German fire
became increasingly accurate, and both Good
Hope and Monmouth sank with the loss of all hands
(nearly 1600 men). Only 3 Germans were injured, although they had used
nearly half of their ammunition.
HMS Monmouth, sunk at Coronel.Picture credit: © IWM (Q 75304)
Library Resources: European History. Level 8
.
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
This was the first British naval defeat in over a century and
had a serious impact on Britain’s reputation as the
‘ruler of the waves’. Shock at the British losses led to the immediate sending of more ships to the South Atlantic. These included the battle
cruisers HMS Invincible and HMS Inflexible, under Vice Admiral Doveton Sturdee.
The German squadron leaving Valparaiso, Chile, November 1914,
following the Battle of Coronel.Picture credit: U.S. Naval Historical
Center
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
While British ships awaited Sturdee’s reinforcements, Spee had entered
Valparaiso (Chile) for coal and provisions. Under international law he could only remain for 24 hours. After that, he had no alternative but to proceed back into the Atlantic and
head for Germany. Aware of the dangers of this tactic, it is reported that he commented on leaving port that a presented bouquet of flowers ‘will do very nicely for my grave’.
Vice-Admiral Maximilian Graf von
Spee
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
Library Resources: European History.
Level 8
Before sailing for Germany, Spee decided to attack the British base
in the Falklands. Sturdee’s squadron
arrived just before the Germans. The weather was clear, and when the Germans appeared, the British opened fire. Spee ordered his ships to dash
for the sea.Library Resources: European History. Level
HMS Glasgow - in both battles. Picture credit : © IWM (Q 21286)
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
The British chased, and sank the Leipzig and Nürnberg.
Sturdee’s ships then began to damage both the
Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Both sank. Neither Spee, nor
his sons, serving with him, survived, and, of a
complement of about 2,200 crew from the four ships,
only 215 survived. No British vessel was badly damaged.
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
SMS ScharnhosrtPicture Credit: © IWM (Q
22361)
Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee,
commander of the British force at the Battle of the Falklands.
Image: ‘The Country
Gentleman and Land & Water’, vol.64, 1914.
Library Research Annexe.
In reality, these battles were only a side-show. Only eight days later, German shelling of Scarborough,
Whitby and Hartlepool
emphasised where the major sea battle would eventually be.
World War One: Major Campaigns 1914The Battles of Coronel and the Falklands
Trench map resources in the library
The British Trench Map Atlas by the National Archives is available in DVD format. It has over 700 maps, with
notes from military cartographer
Dr. Peter Chasseaud.
The DVD is held on Level 7 of the Library, and staff will be happy to assist you in accessing this resource.
.
World War One: Maps
Forty, Simon. Mapping the First World War.
London : Conway, 2013Level 7 Atlas Bibliog D 8
2002-F
This volume provides detailed maps on all aspects
of the war, such as battle movements, air operations,
and attacks on merchant shipping.
.
World War One: Maps
• Glasgow-based optical instrument engineers Barr & Stroud invented rangefinders,
• Their rangefinders were in action during the war• Company records are held in the University Archives
University Archives UGD295/8/1/1
World War One: The Home Front: Industry
• With the outbreak of war manufacturers and engineers William Beardmore immediately focused on the production of munitions, ships, aeroplanes, and tanks
• Company records are held in the University Archives
William Beardmore & Co. Tank-erecting workshop, Dalmuir. University Archives UGD100/1/11/3
World War One: The Home Front: Industry
This appeal from Field Marshall
Roberts for saddles for
cavalry at the front appeared
in 1914.
The Country Gentleman and Land and Water: the world war. Vol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front: Equipping the Army
In 1914, many gentlemen's outfitters
turned their attention from producing civilian clothing
to producing military outfits. This advert from Frederick Gorringe of
Buckingham Palace Road was one of many to appear in the press.
World War One: The Home Front: Equipping the Army
The Country Gentleman and Land and Water: the world war. Vol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe
Robinson and Cleaver were a Belfast
department store. Although one of its
specialities was Irish Linen, they also
produced woollen blankets for
front line troops.
World War One: The Home Front: Equipping the Army
The Country Gentleman and Land and Water: the world war. Vol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe
Ferguson's was an Edinburgh confectionery firm. It is credited with the
invention of the (still available) Edinburgh Rock
confectionery.The British Expeditionary Force - or BEF - was the force sent to the Western
Front during the War
World War One: The Home Front:Supporting the Troops
The Country Gentleman and Land and Water: the world war. Vol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe
A Sovereign had a nominal value of £1. This is approx £70 in
today’s currency.1 shilling (1/-) equals
approximately£3.50
Image: The Country Gentleman and Land and
WaterVol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front :Supporting the Troops
.
Harrods is a department store in London. It was
founded in 1824.
Image: The Country
Gentleman and Land and WaterVol. 63, 1914.
Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front IndustrySupporting the Troops
Tommy Atkins was a term for a solider in the British Army and was in common usage during
World War One.
Image: The Country Gentleman and Land and
WaterVol. 63, 1914.
Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front IndustrySupporting the Troops
In 1913 income tax was only paid by
2% of the population. During the war, another
2.4 million people would end up
being eligible. By 1918, 8% were
paying income tax.
Images: The Country Gentleman and Land and WaterVol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front :Hardship
Image: The Country Gentleman and Land and Water.
Vol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe
Established in 1835 the firm of Jelks organised the sale of furniture belonging to soldiers serving abroad.
The advert notes that despite the war, the firm continued to retain a full
staff on full wages.
World War One: The Home Front :Hardship
In 1914 a National Relief Fund was formed under the patronage
of the Prince of Wales to give assistance to the dependents of
men who had gone to fight.
Images: Land and Water: the world war.Vol 64, 1914. Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front :Hardship
House of Commons Oral Questions, War in Europe (10.08.14) 65 2298-99. Available from Level 7 of the library.House of Commons Oral Questions, War in Europe (10.08.14) 65 2298-99. Available from Level 7 of the library.
House of Commons Oral Questions, War in Europe (10.08.14) 65 2298-99.
Available from Level 7 of the library
The wives and families of men at war faced hardship with the loss of what was
sometimes the only wage-earner in the home, and appealed to MPs for
assistance. Rowland Hunt was the MP
for Ludlow
World War One: The Home Front :Hardship
Many women knitted garments for family members who went
to war. Lord Kitchener was Secretary of State for war, and this article refers to his appeal
to Queen Mary to start a campaign to obtain 300,000 pairs of socks and the same number of belts for British
soldiers at the front.
The Country Gentleman and Land and Water: the world war. Vol. 63, 1914. Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front :Women
In 1914 women did not have the vote. At the
outbreak of the war, the campaign for votes for
women was strong, and many supporters were imprisoned.
However, by the 10th of August, 1914, women
suffragists were released “in this time of emergency”
House of Commons debates, Written Answers; Release of Prisoners
(10.08.14) 65 2265. Available : Official Publications,
Library Level 7
World War One: The Home Front :Women
On the 20th August,1914, the Central Committee on
Women’s Employment was formed to report on schemes for the provision of work for
women and girls unemployed on account of
the war.
Interim Report of the Central Committee of Women’s Employment, Cd. 7848,
Session 1914-16
Available: Level 7
World War One: The Home Front :Women
Patriotism was a recurring theme in commercial
advertising during the war.
Image: The Country Gentleman and Land and WaterVol. 63, 1914.
Library Research Annexe.
World War One: The Home Front:Patriotism
People were encouraged to buy products from British companies.
Image: The Country Gentleman and Land and WaterVol. 63, 1914.
Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front :Patriotism
In 1914, adverts for
holidays were still appearing.
Image: The Country
Gentleman and Land and
WaterVol. 63, 1914.
Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front:Life Goes On
Images: The
Country Gentleman and Land and Water
Vol. 63, 1914.
Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front :Life Goes On
This extract from The Country Gentleman and
Land and Water, 29th August 1914, reports on conditions
on the grouse moors, especially the Scottish moors. The war would
impact this sport as men went to fight and
horses were drafted for duty at the front.
Available from:Library Research Annexe
World War One: The Home Front :Life Goes On
Statistics of the Military Effort of the British Empire during the Great War was
published by the War Office. These were compiled in a
monthly periodical called the Abstract of Military
Statistics, which ran from 1916 to 1920.
Available : Official Publications, Library Level 7
World War One: Statistics
June 28 Assassination of Archduke Franz FerdinandJuly 28 Austria-Hungary declares war on SerbiaAugust 1 Germany declares war on RussiaAugust 3 Germany declares war on FranceAugust 4 Germany invades neutral BelgiumAugust 4 Britain declares war on GermanyAugust 4 US President Wilson declares US neutralitySeptember 15 Trenches appearOctober 14 First Battle of YpresDecember 8 Battle of the Falkland IslandsDecember 21 First German air raid on BritainDecember 25 Unofficial Christmas truce
World War One: The Events of the Year
The Christmas Truce
John Adams, a University of Glasgow graduate, was chaplain to
the Gordon Highlanders on Christmas Day 1914, when he saw
men emerging from both sets of trenches. Adams and a German
divinity student officiated at a service, at which the 23rd Psalm was read in English and German. The truce lasted until the 3rd of
January 1915 and was not repeated again during the war.
This Christmas Pastoral Letter was read in all Belgian churches in January 1915.
Library Research Annexe (Cc7-b.7)
World War One: Christmas 1914
Poppies
The poppy was one of the plants to grow on the battlefields of
the Western front in World War One.
It came to symbolise the sacrifices made by soldiers in World War One and
subsequent wars.
John McCrae, a Canadian surgeon during the war witnessed the death of a friend,
and wrote the poem In Flanders Fields in his memory
In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.